Ever find yourself aimlessly scrolling, looking for that perfect mix of golf and giggles? Well, put down your club and grab some popcorn because I’ve got you covered. Now, keep in mind, I’m no certified film critic—just a guy who loves the smell of fresh-cut greens and the sound of a driver hitting the sweet spot. Let’s dive into my personal list of the 12 best golf movies. Sure, this ranking is as unofficial as my handicap, but who’s counting?
Remember, I’m just sharing my two cents here, not laying down the law. These picks come from a place of love for the game and a penchant for cinematic storytelling that doesn’t take itself too seriously. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who thinks a birdie is just a cute animal, I hope you find some inspiration for your next movie night. And who knows? You might just end up with a new favorite that’s as comforting as a perfectly executed chip shot.
Golf, oh golf – it’s that kind of sport. People either fall head over heels for it or they just can’t stand it. No middle ground, really. But, love it or hate it, golf has been swinging its way through history as one of the classiest, most prestigious sports out there. Plus, it’s given us some pretty great movies along the way.
Golf, with all its seriousness and tension, is just asking to be made fun of. Whether you’re totally into golf or couldn’t care less, flicks like “Caddyshack” and “Happy Gilmore” are guaranteed to crack you up. They’ve got the laughs, and if you’re in the mood for a bit of romance, “Pat and Mike” and “Tin Cup” mix in love with their humor. And for the die-hard golf enthusiasts, “The Greatest Game Ever Played” and “Tommy’s Honour” dive into the fascinating history and celebrate the legends of the sport. It’s like, even if you’re just a casual fan or someone super passionate about golf, there’s something out there that’ll entertain you and maybe even teach you a thing or two about this game we just can’t get enough of.
While the world of golf movies might not be overflowing with hits, there are definitely a few gems out there. Classics that stick with us, and a handful of feel-good, inspirational biopics that make us want to grab our clubs and hit the green. Let’s take a stroll through our photo gallery featuring the likes of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Kevin Costner, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Adam Sandler, Will Smith, and many more.
12. Seven Days in Utopia (2011)
Luke Chisholm (played by Lucas Black) is a rising golf star who loses his cool during a tournament, leading to a rather dramatic exit that ends with his car breaking down on the property of retired golf legend Johnny Crawford (portrayed by Robert Duvall). In a twist that sounds like it’s straight out of a feel-good movie, Crawford decides to mentor Luke, offering him a shot at redemption and a chance to get his swing back on track during a week-long stay in the seemingly magical town of Utopia.
Click to buy Seven Days in Utopia.
11. From the Rough (2013)
In this heartwarming true story, the fabulous Taraji P. Henson takes on the role of Catana Starks, a trailblazer who didn’t just stop at being the women’s swim coach for Tennessee State University. Nope, she went on to make history as the first African American woman—scratch that, the first woman period—to coach a men’s collegiate golf team.
Imagine her, tasked with putting together a golf team from scratch at the university. With a budget that was more of a joke and facing a whole lot of side-eye, Starks somehow pulls together a team as diverse as a United Nations meeting. Despite the bickering among her players and the snooty attitudes from the uppity teams, she leads her motley crew to victory. Talk about squad goals, am I right?
Click here to buy From the Rough.
10. A Gentleman’s Game (2002)
Sports movies, like “A Gentleman’s Game,” aren’t just about the thrill of the game—they’re life lessons in disguise. Take young Timmy Price (played by Mason Gamble), whose heart is set on golf and the country club vibe, even though his dad (hello, Dylan Baker) isn’t exactly cheering him on from the sidelines. But does Timmy let that stop him? Nope. He lands a gig as a caddie and starts swinging his way into the golf scene, catching the eye of Foster Pearce (Gary Sinese), a once-celebrated amateur champ who hung up his clubs after his big win.
Under Pearce’s wing, Timmy not only bags a junior championship but starts getting a taste for victory. Yet, it’s not all about the trophies. Pearce, being the wise mentor he is, dishes out some life truths, teaching Timmy that winning isn’t everything. It’s a heartwarming tale of swings, misses, and life lessons, showing us that there’s way more to life than just keeping score.
Click here to buy A Gentleman’s Game.
9. The Caddy (1953)
Dive into this hilarious gem from Hollywood’s Golden Era featuring the iconic duo, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Lewis plays Harvey Miller, dreaming of becoming a pro golfer like his dad but just can’t deal with crowds. So, he sticks to giving golf lessons and caddying for Joe (played by Dean Martin), who starts winning big and getting a bit too big for his boots.
Cue the laugh-out-loud moments as they start stepping on each other’s toes, not forgetting the romance each finds along the way. And yes, this is the movie where “That’s Amore” makes its grand debut, courtesy of Martin.
8. Tommy’s Honour (2016)
Dive into the heartfelt and quirky story of golf icons Old Tom Morris (played by Peter Mullan) and his son, Young Tom Morris (played by Jack Lowden), in this top-notch biopic. Picture it: Scotland in the 1860s, where golf is just getting its groove, and these two are at the forefront, sometimes butting heads in style but also smashing records left, right, and center – records that some folks still haven’t beaten today.
It’s a deep look into how golf became the game we know and love, sprinkled with a bit of father-son drama. A total must-watch for golf enthusiasts or anyone who loves a good story about pioneers who weren’t afraid to stir the pot.
Click here to buy Tommy’s Honour.
7. Pat and Mike (1952)
Meet Pat (played by Katharine Hepburn), a super talented athlete whose skills take a hit whenever she’s around her pressuring fiancé, who’s all about her hanging up her sneakers to settle down. But Pat’s not having any of it. She teams up with Mike (Spencer Tracy), a crafty sports promoter with a heart of gold and a head full of schemes. As Mike starts falling head over heels for Pat, he decides to clean up his act. Together, they hustle through the ups and downs, making us root for them all the way.
This flick marks one of the nine iconic screen pairings of Hepburn and Tracy, snagging an Oscar nod for its witty script and standing out as a top-tier romantic comedy in their collective filmography. Oh, and for the record, Hepburn wasn’t just acting the part of an athlete; she was practically one, nailing all her sports scenes with the grace of the avid golfer and tennis player she was off-screen.
Click here to buy Pat and Mike.
6. Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
Get ready to tee off with the story of Bobby Jones, golf’s ultimate legend, in “Stroke of Genius.” This guy was no ordinary golfer; in 1930, he did the unthinkable by winning all four of the men’s major championships in a single year. Fast forward 90 years, and he’s still the solo member of that club. Imagine that!
The film takes us on a journey through Jones’s life, played by Jim Caviezel. From his early days in Atlanta, obsessing over pro golfers and scooping up amateur titles, to juggling a law degree in his college years. But it’s not all smooth sailing; Jones had to conquer his temper and snag those major championships, only to hang up his clubs shockingly early at 28. Talk about going out on top!
And here’s the cherry on top: “Stroke of Genius” got the green light to film at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Yeah, that’s the epicently old and fancy golf club where legends are made. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to walk the fairway with one of the greatest stories in golf.
Click here to buy Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius.
5. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Dive into the heartwarming tale of Hardy Greaves (played by the legendary Jack Lemmon in his final role), who, after his sixth heart attack on the golf course, takes us back to how his love affair with golf began. Picture it: the Depression era, where young Hardy worships the ground walked on by Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), a once-glorious golfer turned struggling alcoholic, haunted by his WWI past. Enter the scene, a mysterious caddie named Bagger Vance (Will Smith), and with a little nudge from Hardy, they embark on a journey to reignite Junuh’s passion for golf.
Along the way, Junuh not only rediscovers his love for the game but also rekindles an old flame with the enchanting Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron). This is more than a story about golf; it’s a nostalgic ride through love, redemption, and the magic of second chances, all set against the backdrop of a simpler time.
Click here to buy The Legend of Bagger Vance.
4. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
When you think of golf, you might picture it as a game for the affluent, but Francis Ouimet (played by Shia LeBeouf), a guy from the working class, totally flipped the script. Back in 1913, defying his dad’s wishes, 20-year-old Francis, who had taught himself how to play, decided to take a shot at the U.S. Open with just a ten-year-old caddie by his side. Believe it or not, this is all true. His victory over the British golf legend Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) is a story that’ll get you pumped up about the underdog. It’s brilliantly told in this movie, showing how a young amateur’s unbelievable win is still one of the coolest sports stories ever.
Click here to buy The Greatest Game Ever Played.
3. Happy Gilmore (1996)
In the world of hockey, Happy Gilmore (played by the ever-hilarious Adam Sandler) wasn’t exactly making waves. But then, almost by accident, he discovers that his killer slapshot translates into an incredible golf swing. With his grandma’s house on the line, thanks to the IRS eyeing it for unpaid taxes, Happy decides to swap his hockey stick for a set of golf clubs. Under the guidance of Chubbs Peterson, a pro golfer who’s seen better days (and has one less arm than most), Happy finds himself butting heads with the snobby golf elite, especially the pompous Shooter McGavin (brought to life by Christopher McDonald).
Shooter can’t stand Happy’s unconventional methods or his complete disregard for golfing etiquette. From creating the iconic “Happy Gilmore swing” to an unforgettable fight with Bob Barker, this comedy takes you on a wild ride through the ups and downs of golf, making it a cult favorite for fans and newcomers alike. It’s a story that shows sometimes the underdog can teach the old guard a new trick or two, especially when it’s all about saving the family home.
Click here to buy Happy Gilmore.
2. Caddyshack (1980)
Directed by Harold Ramis and featuring a lineup of the era’s top comedians, “Caddyshack” has won over a dedicated fan base and stands out as one of the most hilarious sports movies ever. Picture this: At the fancy Bushwood Country Club, Danny (Michael O’Keefe), a low-ranking caddie, gets a front-row seat to all the madness. This includes a heated rivalry between the club’s arrogant co-founder Smails (Ted Knight) and the boisterous, newly wealthy Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield), not to mention the wild antics between zany groundskeeper Carl (Bill Murray) and a mischievous gopher wreaking havoc on the golf course.
Add Chevy Chase into the mix as an enthusiastic golfer, a high-stakes golf match with the club’s ownership on the line, and Carl’s hilarious attempts to outwit the “Varmint Cong” with a shotgun, and you’ve got a movie that’s not just funny, but a treasure trove of quotable moments.
1. Tin Cup (1996)
Meet Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, played by Kevin Costner, a once-promising golfer whose career has taken a bit of a nosedive, leading him to the less glamorous life of running a driving range. Enter Molly Griswold, portrayed by Rene Russo, a psychologist looking for golf lessons, and her boyfriend, the big-shot pro golfer David Simms, played by Don Johnson, who’s in need of a caddie. Though Roy initially jumps at the caddie offer, it’s not long before his passion for golf reignites, sparking not just a rivalry on the golf course with David but also a contest for Molly’s affection.
As Roy and David try to outdo each other on and off the green, the sparks fly—not just between the rivaling golfers but also in the undeniable chemistry between Costner and Russo. Culminating in a finale you wouldn’t see coming, especially at the U.S. Open, this film masterfully tees up a blend of sports excitement and romantic comedy vibes. It’s a tale that reminds us about the unpredictability of love and golf, proving that sometimes, taking a shot from the rough can lead to the most unexpected victories.
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